|
|
Post by madwolfa on Sept 5, 2013 4:00:55 GMT
Hello,
So here is my story. When I bought it brand new somewhere back in 2003-2004, my volume pot has always been on 34 dB. I had to decrease that to 40 dB over time (maybe my ears adapted?). I've used it with Musical Fidelity X-24K DAC for many years like this with my Sennheiser HD-600 (Cardas cable). Sound was very plush and intimate, balanced and laid-back. Top end was a bit muted, but not lacking detail. Really comfortable. I could listen for hours..
Three years ago I've put it down in a box and sold my X24K.
Now I've plugged it into my new MF V-DAC II (w/ Pyramid PSU) and started playing my favorite music again, same music I've listened on this exact amp countless times.
Now I can barely handle it on 54 dB. Sometimes have to put it all down to 62 dB. It became louder. But what is worse - almost untolerably bright.
High end is very harsh and sound overall is a bit thin, lacking the warm atmosphere it always had. I literally have pain in my ears after few hours of listening (I almost feel the constant pressure on my ear membranes from the aggressive treble, but I can't turn the volume down even further so it becomes too quiet).
What is to blame here? Source? Maybe I was spoiled by a warm tube output stage of my old X-24K through all those years??
Or did my X-CAN just get old? Like 10 years now.. And it was turned on almost 24x7 for many years... I've just ordered a pair of
Russian 6H23n-EB, going to see if that helps. I've checked the caps inside and they look normal to me. I don't hear any noise, hiss, hum, whatsoever.
There's no audible distortion. But I'm not enjoying the music now... It's just really bad on my ears (too bright, like there's too much treble).
Even piano sound is unpleasant now and trumpets/cymbals/acoustic guitars (basically any instrument or vocal with lots of higher registers) are killing me.
Thanks for any advices.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2013 4:35:09 GMT
I would first see how you go with the new valves, then if there is still a problem, replace the main electrolytic capacitors.
Several of these would get quite warm due to their proximity to the valves, and if not already requiring replacement, they will need replacement further down the track.
More recent electrolytic capacitors may have a smaller physical size, and you may be able to fit larger capacitance values in the same place.
Don't use low ESR type capacitors as replacements though.
Mike is likely to be able to offer further advice in this area., or perhaps even provide a kit.
Alex
P.S.
Do you have a CD/DVD player that you can try with it ?
|
|
|
|
Post by madwolfa on Sept 5, 2013 14:53:32 GMT
Do you have a CD/DVD player that you can try with it ? I've tried with a headphone output on my big Rotel RC-1090 SS preamp. It sounds almost the same (feeding with V-DAC MKI), maybe just a tad softer on higher end. So maybe it's just a V-DAC (too bright and revealing compared to old X-24K)? Or my hearing? Or my headphones? |
|
|
|
Post by madwolfa on Sept 5, 2013 14:57:10 GMT
I'm listening to "Sara K - Hell or High Water" album now (my long time benchmark for all audio gear). I've been listening it on 40dB for years, probably hundreds of times. It has always sounded especially lush and lukewarm on my system.
Now the treble in it is intolerable even on 62 dB... I can't understand, why it became so much louder.. I don't believe my ears became that sensitive over last few years.
Maybe my X-24K was that much quieter/softer on its output stage? I thought the line output level/gain is pretty much the same (standard) across all consumer hardware.
|
|
|
|
Post by madwolfa on Sept 5, 2013 15:52:20 GMT
Hmm.. now I think my HD-600s drivers may be bad... Is it possible? I have also noticed a slight imbalance in volume between L/R, played out the source in this.
|
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 5, 2013 18:14:47 GMT
I told you when you e-mailed me the same question.... it is likely to be the valves (tubes).
Mike.
|
|
|
|
Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 5, 2013 18:17:59 GMT
Totally disagree with you there Alex, my kits (which some say improves the sound of the X-Series incredibly) ALL use low ESR caps.... there are some people that swear by low ESR caps and others that swear at them but I can assure you they are then best way to go in a V2 / V3 / V8.
Mike.
|
|
|
|
Post by madwolfa on Sept 5, 2013 18:27:32 GMT
I told you when you e-mailed me the same question.... it is likely to be the valves (tubes). Mike. I will see if that is going to change anything (valves), but I now have some serious doubts it has anything to do with a source/amp. It sounds the same from my RC-1090 preamp. It sounded much better from my cheap CD player's headphone jack back in the days when I didn't even have the X-CANs...
I think I might have bad drivers in my HD-600s... I have ordered a replacement pair from Sennheiser. I wanted to change them anyway - diaphragm looks weird in one of them (dome is elevated and almost touches the driver's housing) and it's quieter than another (ruled out the source). I think I could damage them in one of the recent cleaning attempts... (blowing air, etc).
|
|
|
|
Post by madwolfa on Sept 5, 2013 21:27:03 GMT
Well, I just put in a pair of matched NOS 6H23n-EBs (Rocket logo) in it. And they indeed sound very good (extended bass, widened soundstage, very detailed). But the shredding harshness on the top end didn't go away. I will see what the drivers replacement in my HD-600 will do.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2013 22:12:18 GMT
Totally disagree with you there Alex, my kits (which some say improves the sound of the X-Series incredibly) ALL use low ESR caps.... there are some people that swear by low ESR caps and others that swear at them but I can assure you they are then best way to go in a V2 / V3 / V8. Mike. Mike I said that because the originals weren't low ESR types and the poster is already complaining about excessive HF, which MAY be system related.. Normally you could use low ESR types there in a valve amp to extract the best possible HF detail. If the existing electros have been powered pretty well 24/7 for almost 10 years, they should be approaching their use by date ? Even if they aren't the problem presently, it would make sense to replace them anyway. Although they may look O.K. their ESR may now be very high and greatly reduced capacitance too. Regards Alex |
|
|
|
Post by madwolfa on Sept 5, 2013 22:23:09 GMT
Well, my headphones are harsh with ANY source now, it seems.. So that means that something is either wrong with my ears and they became VERY sensitive over last couple years.. or my cans need the new drivers. I can't find any other explanation.
I also don't understand what happened with the loudness. I've never used my X-CAN below 40 dB... Now I can barely tolerate 54. Less than that and it just becomes too quiet overall, but the shrill is still there. Putting it on 40 dB is like a rock concert for me now, but I've listened like that for years. For the record - I'm 29 now.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2013 0:15:56 GMT
Well, my headphones are harsh with ANY source now, it seems.. So that means that something is either wrong with my ears and they became VERY sensitive over last couple years.. or my cans need the new drivers. I can't find any other explanation. I also don't understand what happened with the loudness. I've never used my X-CAN below 40 dB... Now I can barely tolerate 54. Less than that and it just becomes too quiet overall, but the shrill is still there. Putting it on 40 dB is like a rock concert for me now, but I've listened like that for years. For the record - I'm 29 now.
By the sound of it, you need to listen to someone else's system, and if you hear the same problems, then have your ears tested. Perhaps a good syringe out could be a good start , or even trying a suitable product from the chemist ? Alex |
|
|
|
Post by madwolfa on Sept 10, 2013 23:59:31 GMT
So I have changed the drivers in the cans and spent the night in a (very loud) rock club - now I'm good.  |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2013 0:43:46 GMT
Hi
I am pleased to read that you appear to have solved your problem.
Regards
Alex
|
|
